A popular football t-shirt among Oakland University students reads “Undefeated since 1957.”

Until this fall, that t-shirt was a joke. However, Oakland, playing in the National Club Football Association’s Great Lakes Conference, won its first-ever home football game on Saturday to improve to 3-0 in its inaugural season, and maintain its undefeated status all-time.

Oakland won, 36-26, against Columbus State Community College at Auburn Hills Civic Center in front of a large home crowd.

Quarterback Brandon Tucker rushed for three touchdowns and threw another touchdown to help make history.

Oakland fed off the home fans to build a 29-14 lead after Tucker threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Benny Sorrentino.

But that lead soon evaporated, as Columbus State scored back-to-back touchdowns to cut the Oakland lead to 29-26.

Eli Grant intercepted a pass with 6:27 to go in the fourth quarter, and the Oakland offense went to work.

Tucker led Oakland down the field and finished the drive by running in his third touchdown of the game to make it 36-26 and ice the game.

“This has been our strength all year,” Oakland coach Al Manfroni said. “We come out in the fourth quarter every game we play, when we’re supposed to be dog tired. Somehow, they find some strength somewhere, and they just power it down the field.

Tucker planned to play football at the Division 2 level for Saginaw Valley State or Grand Valley State after his high school career in Sandusky, but was “worn out” from football and decided to go to Oakland.

But upon hearing about a possible football team at Oakland, Tucker said “I’m playing.”

“I’m not ashamed of coming here; I love it,” Tucker said. “I know the program’s just gonna build up from here, and to say that I was a part of the first team, I love it.”

Oakland and its fans will love it even more if the team continues to have success.

The team was ranked 5th in the NCFA going into Saturday’s game, and Manfroni has high hopes for his team this season.

“I think we can win our division,” he said. “I think we can be in the championship, I honestly do.